It’s important that job seekers prepare for the potential employer's interview, the last stretch of the job search process. While some hiring employers use other selection criteria such as job psychological testing, the interview continues to be the main method of recruitment selection. A job seeker's resumé may be impressive but a poor interview threatens success in landing that dream job.
12 Interview Questions to Prepare
Potential employers often ask questions included in this article. Preparing for suitable responses to these interview questions may yet land the job seeker that desired work.
1. Tell me about yourself
The question is asked to find out about your job skills. It can be answered by describing your best qualifications and experience for the job. Be specific. Use examples to support your claim. A quick 60-second overview of your work history, skills and experience delivered with confidence will do. You are selling yourself.
2. What do you know about the company?
Do your research before the interview. What does the company do? Check on the internet or newspapers.
3. Why do you want to work for this company?
The interviewer wants your ideas on what you think of the company. For example: good reputation, growth potential, good products or services. The employer expects you to show knowledge of and interest in the company. Your response should indicate that you have researched the company: for example: “I’ve been reading that the company is really growing fast.” Or something like: “The company looks promising from what I’ve been reading.”
4. Why did you leave your last job?
The interviewer is trying to find out if you had problems on your last job. Never say anything negative about yourself nor your previous employer. If you did have problems, think of a way to explain without being negative.
5. Why should we hire you?
Refer to your characteristics, skills, qualities and knowledge. Explain how your offerings would be a benefit to the company.
6. Can you work under pressure and to deadlines?
Provide examples for this question that prove you can cope with work pressure and meet deadlines.
7. Where do you hope to be in five years?
This needs a positive attitude, but at the same time, a realistic and sincere response.
8. What do you look for in a job?
Mention potential growth of the company, team work, and proper work ethics.
9. What are your weaknesses and strengths?
Never be negative. Rather, turn any negative issue or weakness into a positive statement or strength. For example: “I’m often too careful about my work. Sometimes I work late to get my job done properly.” Or, “I tend to be a perfectionist, so I can be sure I will do it right.”
10. How much do you expect to be paid?
Never state a flat amount unless you know what the job pays. Instead, try a neutral statement like: “How much have you budgeted for the position?” Or, “How much does the job pay?”
11. How do you handle conflict in the work place?
This involves the practice of "interaction management." Explain your reaction to a conflict in terms of how you took control of the situation with a “cool it” moment first before handling the actual conflict. State that eventually the conflict situation resulted in something that both you and the other person could agree on. Demonstrate how this was a kind of win-win situation, even if you reached an agreement to disagree.
12. What are your future plans?
The interviewer may want to know if you plan ahead, are ambitious or have set goals for yourself. He or she may also want to know what kind of expectations you have for the company. For example: “I hope to become competent at my job and perhaps find time to study to become even better.” Or, I hope I’ll be competent enough to grow with the company in my role.”
Readers may want to check out these related articles: How to Improve Chances of Getting That Job, Interview Tips: To prepare and Perform to Get the Job, How to Prepare for Job Interview, and Job Search Plans to Get that Interview.
Comments